Battlefield 3 Gamer 2011 Blog

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Battlefield 3 Blog

Battlefield 3 Open Beta Update #2

Thank you for playing the Open Beta and making the final game better!

We are very excited to see so many gamers join our Battlefield 3 Open Beta. Here’s an update on the Open Beta from DICE General Manager Karl Magnus Troedsson.

I want to give you an overview of how the Open Beta is helping us shape a fantastic final game, what we are implementing based on your feedback, and how the Open Beta will help us deliver a robust gaming environment from day one.

The Open Beta is a true Beta

The Battlefield 3 Open Beta is based on software that is more than one month old. We need to test the new back end dedicated server structure we’ve built. Not only have we built a new game engine, but an entirely new back end system so that everyone can enjoy the benefits of dedicated servers on all platforms.

Just like normal procedure when releasing a game, the Open Beta has had long lead times due to testing, certification, and setting up. This means that the code you are now playing is actually quite early and not representative of the final game.

We had to do this in order to have as many people testing as possible, in order to ensure a top quality experience when the game is released. However, we’re confident in the Battlefield formula and confident that our fans will support us in order to make Battlefield 3 better.

Dedicated servers require dedicated testing

The biggest reason for running the Open Beta is to stress test our servers and back end. Already, we are seeing 6 times the number of simultaneous players in the Battlefield 3 Open Beta compared to the Beta for Battlefield: Bad Company 2! The fact that Battlefield 3 is clearly our biggest game launch ever by a magnitude of 6 makes it doubly important to test everything.

We are constantly updating the News section on Battlelog with information on what we are fixing from Open Beta to final. We appreciate your time and your feedback. The data and feedback from the Open Beta will not only directly affect the final game of Battlefield 3, but its future development and support.

We’re heading out on the road this week to let journalists experience all aspects of Battlefield 3. Stay tuned for their previews, and stay tuned for the final game on October 25th. The final game will look, play and sound better than the Open Beta. You have helped making sure of that.

Battlefield 3 Open Beta Update #1

The amounts of people flocking to our Open Beta is fantastic! We are happy to see so many players enjoy this Open Beta, and giving us their valuable feedback on the experience on the Battlelog forums.

This blog post is the first in a series of posts that will outline some of the changes we are making in the final game thanks to your feedback and participation in the Open Beta.

Come back regularly and stay tuned to the Battlelog forums and the News section in Battlelog for daily news and updates from DICE on how your playing the Open Beta is helping us make the final game better.

REVIEWs 2010

MEDAL of HONOR (Limited Edition): PS3 Review!

What a cool way to offer a review on MEDAL of HONOR (Limited Edition), a totally appropriate. I am a big fan. I use to tend to play by myself since I am a germphobe, you know, one of those persons who is obsessed with cleanliness and defeating bacteria. Individuals like me, turn on faucets with their elbows and hand sanitize on an hourly basis. Fortunately I have found a great e commerce store that sells all sorts of janitorial and cleaning supplies, including "ta da"...germicidal wipes. So when friends initially asked me over to play Battlefield 3, I carried a couple of containers of germicidal wipes and I was all set. New players to our group might find me a bit weird, but no one cares when they find out how good I am. My friends now have robust supplies of germicidal wipes which are offered as soon as I walk in the door, so I don't carry as many containers with me as I use to. Thanks to whoever developed these handy wipes. I don't leave home without them. Now, my opinion of Battlefield 3. Let's face it when it comes to virtual battlefields, nobody does it quite like the Battlefield series. I learned the hard way that the single-player campaign fails to capitalize on the strengths of the series and quite frankly feels like an off-brand imitation. The six cooperative missions offer a tougher challenge which is why I along with my friends have bought the competitive multiplayer.

Medal of Honor Guide

Operating directly under the National Command Authority, a relatively unknown entity of handpicked warriors are called on when the mission must not fail. They are the Tier 1 Operators.

Over 2 million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines wear the uniform. Of those, approximately 50 thousand fall under the direct control of the Special Operations Command. The Tier 1 Operator functions on a plane of existence above and beyond even the most highly trained Special Operations Forces. Their exact numbers, while classified, hover in the low hundreds. They are living, breathing, precision instruments of war. They are experts in the application of violence. The new Medal of Honor is inspired by and has been developed with Tier 1 Operators from this elite community. Players will step into the boots of these warriors and apply their unique skill sets to a new enemy in the most unforgiving and hostile battlefield conditions of present day Afghanistan. There is a new enemy. There is a new war. There is a new warrior. He is Tier 1.

Available only for a limited time through the launch of Medal of Honor at no extra cost, this Limited Edition version grants players exclusive access to the MP7, a unique weapon utilized by Tier 1 Operators in the field. Limited Edition owners will also benefit from day-one access to the TOZ-194 and 870MC2 shotguns, while others must rank up to secure these weapon unlocks.

Release Date: October 12, 2010

MSRP: 59.99 USD

M for Mature: Blood, Strong Language, Violence

Genre: First-Person Shooter

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developers: Danger Close, EA Los Angeles

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A SELECTION OF CHANGES FROM OPEN BETA TO FINAL, PART 1

(Not a complete list – for up to date news,
* Fixed occasional client crash when reviving.
* Fixed killcam showing glitched area under map if your killer is dead.
* Issue with spawning on dead squad mates fixed.
* Fixed a bug where shooting at a moving enemy could cause more than the intended amount of damage.
* Crosshairs for shotguns have been replaced with a new, thinner, art.
* A subtle low health screen effect has been added.
* Tweaked scores of Medals and Service Stars.
* Tweaked the Rank progression.
* Pushing prone on console will not play the animation twice.
* Fixed loss of Squad Leader after EOR at some times.
* Framerate stability fixes.
* The 3D spotting icons has been tweaked to better match the target’s visibility. Icons will show frequently less on mostly obscured targets.
* Fixed issue with crosshair disappearing after round transition.
* Fixed issue with crosshair disappearing after trying to deploy while the countdown timer still active.
* Squad list now shows specializations chosen, VOIP activity and dead squad mates.
* Non working options in squad menu fixed: "Private" flag and "Switch Teams".

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Official Battlefield Merchandise Store Now Open NOTE: NO LONGER CAN MERCHANDISE CAN BE BOUGHT ON THIS SITE!

The Official Battlefield Merchandise store, us-store.dice.se/battlefield, has now opened, where you can buy Battlefield shirts and accessories. Until this Friday, September 29, 2011 at 24:00 PST, you can use Promo Code "Battlefield3" to get 10% off your order. Order today, or now before the deal ends! The store also offers DICE Wear, and Mirror's Edge clothing.

Battlefield Products

Battlefield Shirts

Battlefield Hoodies

Battlefield Polos (coming soon)

Battlefield Women

DICE Products

DICE Shirts

DICE Hoodies (coming soon)

DICE Polos (coming soon)

DICE Women

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Steam Overlay In Battlefield 3

Reddit user, zombicidialscientist, posted an imageon the subreddit Battlefield3 on how to overlay Steam while playing Battlefield 3. Step by Step guide follows:

Step 1: Add Origin as Non-Steam Game

Step 2: Quit Origin and relaunch it by clicking PLAY on Steam

Step 3: Disable Origin In-Game

Step 4: Launch Battlefield 3

Note: If this doesn't work the first time, try shutting down Origin completely and launching Origin through Steam again.

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Origin Help Center

List of FAQ about Battlefield 3 Beta from Support.EA below

What are the dates for the Battlefield 3 Beta?
The Open Beta starts September 29. Those that have pre-ordered Battlefield 3 PC digital download through Origin, or own Medal of Honor Limited/Tier 1 Edition, will gain early access to the Open Beta starting on September 27. The Open Beta will end on October 10.

On what platforms is the BF3 Beta available?
All of the platforms the full product will support: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Windows PC.

In what territories is the BF3 Beta available?
The Beta is available in North America, South America, Europe, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

In what languages is the BF3 Beta available?
The Beta and Battlelog site will only be available in English, but there will be localized sections on the Battlelog Open Beta forum where you can leave feedback and get your questions answered. The full Battlefield 3 product will be available in several languages.

Do I have access to the BF3 Beta? Am I invited?
Everyone can play the Battlefield 3 Open Beta beginning September 29, no invitation is required! However, note that early access to the Beta is limited to those that qualify.

Are there any restrictions to play time in the BF3 Beta?
No, you can play for as long as you want. There will be no cap on how far you can rank up or what you can unlock. Servers will be up 24/7, barring maintenance needs.

Where do I get the BF3 Beta?
On console, the Beta will appear on the PlayStation Network Store and Xbox Live Marketplace. On PC, it will appear in the Origin application's demo section.

Does the BF3 Beta represent final game quality?
The Beta is not final software and updates will be done both to the game and to the back-end prior to the Battlefield 3 full product launch. Your participation in the Beta will help us improve the final game.

How do I install the BF3 Beta?
On console, simply download the Beta from the PlayStation Network Store or Xbox Live Marketplace and play. On PC, you must have Origin running and then download the Beta from within the Origin application's demo section. To install the free Origin client, visit www.origin.com/download.

Is Origin required to play the BF3 Beta?
On PC, yes. Origin is used to distribute the Beta installation and run the game on Windows PC. Origin is not required to play on PS3 or Xbox 360.

What is Origin?
Origin is a service from EA which allows you to easily buy, download, and play games.

I bought Medal of Honor Limited Edition. How do I get early access to the Beta?
If you bought Medal of Honor Limited Edition new on PS3, the early access open beta will automatically appear for you in the Playstation Network Store.

If you bought Medal of Honor Limited Edition new on PC, you will receive an email with instructions and your personal early access code. Note your code and follow the instructions to redeem the code on Origin.

If you bought Medal of Honor Limited Edition new on Xbox 360, you will receive an email with instructions and your personal early access code to enter on Xbox Live Marketplace.

Your early access begins on September 27.

I bought Medal of Honor Limited Edition/Tier 1 Edition on Steam. How do I get early access to the Beta?
If you purchased Medal of Honor through Steam prior to July 26, 2011 cut-off, you are eligible for early access to the BF3 Beta. To view your key, go to Medal of Honor in your Steam library, and click the "CD KEY" link. Find the "Battlefield 3 Open Beta Early Access" code.

Battlefield 3 is delivered through EA's Origin application, which you can download from www.origin/com/download. Once you have Origin installed, launch it and log in with your Origin ID (this will be the same as your EA Account used in Medal of Honor). In Origin, click the "gear" icon in the top menu bar and then select "Redeem Product Code". After entering the code, the Beta will be ready to download in the "My Games" tab.

I pre-ordered Battlefield 3 PC (digital download version) on Origin. How do I get early access to the Beta?
You will receive an email with instructions on your early access. The cutoff date for qualifying for early access by pre-ordering on Origin is September 25.

I qualify for early access to the BF3 Beta. Can I choose which platform to use?
No. If you qualify for early access to the BF3 Beta, it is limited to the platform you qualified with. For example, if you pre-ordered BF3 PC (digital download version) on Origin before Sept 25, and therefore qualify for early access, you receive early access on the Windows PC platform, not on Xbox 360 or PS3. You cannot change your early access platform. However, once the early access is over and the Beta opens up to everyone on Sept 29, you can play on any platform.

Will my stats carry over from the Beta to the full game?
No. We are still fine tuning the ranking system and we don't want to give the Beta players an unfair advantage when the full game launches. You will keep your soldier name though.

What is Battlelog?
Battlelog is our free social platform that ties into Battlefield 3 and lets you socialize, track stats, plan your next game, and more: http://battlelog.battlefield.com

How do I change my in-game soldier name?
A key part of the Battlefield 3 experience is the social features and ranking provided by Battlelog. In order to keep things clear between your identity on Battlelog, your Origin friends list, and your in-game identity - the game uses your Origin ID as your soldier name. This ensures that the players you socialize with in Battlelog are identifiable in-game.

What are the differences between the Beta and the closed Alpha from July?
While not final software, the Beta is a closer to completion version of the game, with changes made based on discoveries during the Alpha trial. In addition, the Beta is available on PS3 and Xbox 360, open to everyone, and with 24/7 servers.

What do I get for participating in the Beta?
A preview of this year's best shooter, and the ability to contribute to its development. Also, participants in EA's Gun Club will receive a special badge recognizing their Beta participation.

How do I provide feedback or report bugs during the Beta?
We greatly appreciate your input. Please utilize the forums on http://battlelog.battlefield.com to provide your feedback for further development of the game.

Where can I find the latest info about the BF3 Beta?
We will continue to update this page as info and topics arise. You can also watch http://www.battlefield.com/battlefield3 for more details as they become available.

How do I qualify for early access to the BF3 Beta, so that I can begin playing September 27?
You must meet one of the following requirements for early access to the Beta. If you do not, the unrestricted Open Beta begins on September 29.

You bought Medal of Honor Limited Edition new for PS3, X360, or PC, and activated your Online Pass.

If using Steam, you bought Medal of Honor Limited/Tier 1 Edition prior to July 26, 2011.

You pre-ordered Battlefield 3 Limited Edition PC download version on Origin by September 25.
Pre-orders of Battlefield 3 Limited Edition for Xbox 360, PS3, or PC physical version do not qualify for early access.

When will I receive notification for early access of the BF3 Beta?
If you qualify for early access (see question above for qualifications), you will receive an email to your account on Tuesday, September 27 by the afternoon. Please ensure you are checking the email account associated with your EA/Origin ID and review any filtering rules. If you qualify for early access but have not received an email by Tuesday afternoon, please contact Customer Experience by using the Contact Us link on this page.

EA has announced a major online Battlefield 3 tournament called Battlefield Worldwide Conquest Tournament. In partnership with Virgin Gaming, the tournament will be held next year and will offer prizes totaling $1.6 million.

The tournament is for consoles only, where PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 owners will be able to participate in the event, which kicks off in early 2012.

Directly from VirginGaming: "The biggest, most realistic, room-shaking FPS ever demands a tournament that will always be remembered. That's why Virgin Gaming, and EA DICE have come together to bring you an online competition you'll be telling your grandkids about. So strap on your boots and check your magazine—when the spoils of war are this rich, you can bet things are gonna get messy."

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Your Battlefield 3 Open Beta Early Access Questions Answered

September 23, 2011 at 10:00 AM

With the Battlefield 3 Open Beta starting September 29th, millions of gamers will have the chance to play Battlefield 3, help us test our back-end, and give us valuable feedback on the game.

Some of you will be eligible to start playing the Open Beta as early as September 27th, a full 48 hours before the it opens to the public. This post will answer any of your questions on how early access to the Battlefield 3 Open Beta works.

If you have more questions, we have a more extensive Open Beta FAQ at this link.

Q: What are the regular dates for the Open Beta?
A: September 29th-October 10th, 2011.

Q: Who is eligible for early access to the Battlefield 3 Open Beta on September 27th?
A: Customers who have pre-ordered the PC digital download version of Battlefield 3: Limited Edition on Origin, or registered their first-hand copy of Medal of Honor: Limited Edition/Tier 1 Edition, or purchased Medal of Honor Limited Edition from Steam prior to July 26th, 2011.

Q: How do I join the early access Open Beta?
A: For Xbox 360, you will receive an email with instructions and your personal early access code. Note your code and follow the instructions.

For Playstation 3, the early access Open Beta will automatically appear for you in the PlayStation Network Store.

On PC, you will receive an email with instructions and your personal early access code. Note your code and follow the instructions to redeem the code on Origin.

Q: I bought Medal of Honor: Limited Edition/Tier 1 Edition on Steam. How do I get early access?
A: If you purchased Medal of Honor through Steam prior to July 26th, 2011 cut-off, you are eligible for early access to the Battlefield 3 Open Beta.

To view your key, go to Medal of Honor in your Steam library, and click the "cd key" link. Find the "Battlefield 3 Open Beta early access" key.

Once you have Origin installed, run it and log in with your Origin ID. (This will be the same as your EA account ID used in Medal of Honor.). In the Origin client, click the gear icon in the top menu bar, and then select "redeem product code".

Q: Is Origin required to play the Open Beta?
A: Origin is not required to play on Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3. For PC, Origin will be used to distribute the Open Beta installation and run the game, and is therefore necessary to play.

Q: Where do I install Origin?
A: www.origin.com/download

Q: Where do I go if I have more question?
A: You can visit our extensive Open Beta FAQ here.

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Source: Official Battlefield Blog

Battlefield 3 Back To Karkand Expansion To Come One Week Earlier For Playstation 3

on September 22, 2011 at 10:00 AM

A on eu.playstation, by DICE's Jr Product Manager, Tommy Rydling, discussed the Battlefield 3 Beta dates, but he also released some exciting news for the PS3 players. Tommy Rydling states, "But that’s not all for our PlayStation fans! You’ll be happy to know that, starting with our first expansion pack Battlefield 3: Back to Karkand (released later this year), all full-blown upcoming expansion packs for the game will appear one week early exclusively on PlayStation 3!"

So for all Playstion 3 Battlefield 3 players, you will be able to play the Back to Karkand Map Expansion one week before everyone. Don't forget, BETA starts September 27th for Closed Access, and Open Beta starts September 29th!